Cuba Gooding Jr has admitted he is struggling to switch-off from his role playing OJ Simpson.

The actor said portraying the former American footballer in American Crime Story: The People Versus OJ Simpson had been an “emotional rollercoaster”.

The series, which also stars John Travolta and David Schwimmer, recounts the high-profile murder trial of Simpson, who was acquitted of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

O.J. Simpson appearing at a hearing in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas.OJ Simpson appearing at a hearing in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas (Ethan Miller/AP)

Asked how he felt about Simpson, the actor said: “I have a lot of thoughts. There were a lot of revelations. There was a lot of information I didn’t know.

“It was an emotional rollercoaster and I think there were a lot of lessons to be learnt, not just with his life and that trial but with that time period in America.”

Asked whether it had been difficult to switch-off from the role, Gooding Jr replied: “It still is.

Cuba Gooding Jr described his role playing OJ Simpson as an Cuba Gooding Jr described his role playing OJ Simpson as an “emotional rollercoaster” (Rich Fury/Invision/AP)

“Time heals all wounds. You remember what’s important to you personally.

“I had to tell myself this is not my life. This is just something I had to let my psyche run away with.”

Gooding Jr was speaking at a charity event to benefit the Motion Picture and Television Fund in Los Angeles.